An air launched mock up of PJ-10 Brahmos displayed during MAKS 2009 exhibition. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

By: Hemant Kumar Rout (www.newindianexpress.com)The much-awaited test of the air version of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos will be conducted in March this year. Earlier planned in December, this nuclear capable world class weapon system is now ready to surprise enemies.

On the sidelines of the visit of Russian Defence Minister General Sergei Shoigu to the BrahMos Aerospace Headquarters, CEO and Managing Director of BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited Sudhir Mishra on Wednesday said the missile’s first test launch is expected in March. “If everything goes according to the plan, the live test flight of the missile will definitely be carried out from the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft in March. Both the launcher and the missile are ready. Now the integration part is being done,” he said.Defence scientists are leaving no stone unturned for a copy book launch. If test-fired successfully, BrahMos will be the first weapon system in the world to have such capability. As of now, there is no such weapon available in the world.Jointly developed by India and Russia, the 8.4-metre BrahMos missile, the fastest in the world, has a flight range of 290 km and carries a conventional warhead up to 300 kg, thus delivering with high-precision, devastating power at supersonic speed of Mach 2.8.A defence source said the BrahMos Aerospace had to reduce the weight of the air version of the missile as it is to be launched from a moving platform unlike its land and navy versions. Some modifications were also made in its design to easily integrate it in Sukhoi aircraft. “Some structural changes were also made to the Sukhoi by HAL for the finest integration of this heavy missile. The design changes have been validated through various tests, including the critical ground vibration test,” he added. (The New Indian Express)

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